2013 reveals sort of a punker/”classic” indie lean, with plenty of originals alongside chestnuts roasted with new recipes. Other genre excursions too, natch. Hope you find some new favorites to brighten your Advent and Christmas seasons. Love to hear what you’re diggin on.

Per usual, HBBJ showcases this years’ particular pop obsessions (Roxy Music, the Bee Gees, the Manics [although I left out the Dead!]), outre cover versions (Cee Lo, J Tull, Jon Anderson), and selections from my Christmas vault that I propose for canonization (Ed Gerhard, John Prine, Byron Lee). Now – I submit to you this question: what makes the Glam and Power Pop sub-genres the ground most fertile for holiday originals.? Taste and see!

Welcome to the long anticipated HBBJ 2009. One whole year in the making.

My favorite sad-sack 8 year-old and I share many of the same frustrations about Christmas. (As does Loudon Wainwright III.) Why the need to gorge ourselves on the “holiday season?” Why are we so hungry?

I, and the other James featured on this year’s mix, urge you not to sucumb to the easy, instant gratification of a prepackaged yule. Don’t settle for cheap sentimentality. What, at he heart of it, is so great about Christmas anyway? Do you really feel like it is worth it? Why or why not? Ponder. Enjoy the anticipation a few more days.

Yes, listen to that sweet tension in Steve Vai’s masterful interpretation of “Christmas Time Is Here.” Yes, it is upon us. But not quite yet. Savor. Already, but not yet.

For the past five or so years, I have been making an annual Christmas mix; the Happy Birthday Baby Jesus series. In preparation for this year’s, I thought I would put up years’ past’s (those I can still find anyway). Enjoy-this one is a personal favorite.